CTP--Still Testing the Waters

In 1997, PDI introduced the PRISMA 830 CTP plates and the PRISMA 1064 CTP plates, which are both thermally written. Since then, PDI's Dwight Zilinskas reports that PDI realized it had made the correct choice in going thermal.

"Although products released earlier by our competitors required high energy prebake and postbake ovens, as well as UV filtered safelights, our PRISMA products eliminated the need for any of these," Zilinskas explains. "These advancements provided a major leap ahead for the CTP industry and, as we move forward in 1999, our studies show that PRISMA products rank No. 2 for being the largest number of thermal CTP installations in commercial and publication printing operations in North America. Quebecor, World Color Press, Mail-Well, Treasure Chest, Spencer Press and St. Ives are just a few of the many printers that have adopted the thermal technology of PRISMA CTP plates."